Turnagain Arm · By rail
Ride the Alaska Railroad
The Glacier Discovery train along the arm — and the only way in to Spencer Glacier
Summer service
Glacier Discovery train
Boards at
Anchorage · Girdwood · Portage
Signature stop
Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop
To Seward
Coastal Classic
The Alaska Railroad runs right along the shore of Turnagain Arm, often closer to the water than the highway. In summer the Glacier Discovery train follows the arm south from Anchorage through Girdwood and Portage to Whittier, Spencer Glacier, and Grandview, while the Coastal Classic continues over the Kenai Mountains to Seward. It turns the drive into the destination — and reaches places no road does.
Live tide timing
Next good bores
Tomorrow
Mon, Jun 29
Tuesday
Tue, Jun 30
Wednesday
Wed, Jul 1
Thursday
Thu, Jul 2
Times for Hope / Mile 13 · arrive ~20–30 min early. The mudflats are deadly — stay on the gravel above the waterline.
Featured partner
Advertise to bore tide visitors
This spot reaches people actively planning a bore tide trip to Turnagain Arm. Perfect for surf schools, wetsuit rental, Girdwood lodging, guided tours, or gear shops.
Inquire → [email protected]Glacier Discovery train
The Glacier Discovery is the railroad's Turnagain Arm service, running daily in summer south from Anchorage with stops at Girdwood, Portage, and Whittier before the backcountry stops. The route hugs the arm past Bird Point and Beluga Point, with onboard guides calling out belugas, Dall sheep, and waterfalls.
Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop
The train's signature stop has no road access at all — you can only reach Spencer Glacier by rail. Step off at the platform to hike a glacier overlook, join a guided walk, or raft among the icebergs on Spencer Lake before catching a later train back. It's a genuine wilderness day made easy by the train.
Whittier & the tunnel
The line continues to Whittier, gateway to Prince William Sound and its glacier-and-wildlife cruises. By car, Whittier is reached through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel — a one-lane passage shared by cars and trains, among the longest highway tunnels in North America.
On to Seward
For a longer day, the Coastal Classic carries on past the arm and over the Kenai Mountains to Seward, a classic Alaska rail journey through country the road doesn't reach.
Pro tip
Reserve summer seats ahead — the Glacier Discovery and the Spencer Glacier trips are popular. Ride one-way and pair the train with a raft or hike at Spencer, then return on a later departure.
For business owners
Put your rail tour in front of riders
Travelers planning the Glacier Discovery run book lodging, tours, and stops along Turnagain Arm. Get an official Last Frontier Events listing so Girdwood and Whittier visitors find you first.
More things to do nearby
Alyeska Resort
Alaska's premier mountain resort — 15 minutes up the arm from the bore
Whitewater Rafting on Sixmile Creek
Class IV–V glacier canyons by Hope — and gentler floats nearby
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
A nonprofit refuge at the head of the arm — and the herd that brought wood bison back to Alaska
Bird-to-Gird Bike Path
13 paved, traffic-free miles along Turnagain Arm between Indian and Girdwood
Portage Valley & Whittier
Glaciers at the head of the arm, the one-lane tunnel, and Prince William Sound
Hiking Out of Girdwood
From the historic Crow Pass to easy rainforest waterfalls